What FoodieClaire Did at Christmas | Lunch Treats at Bam-Bou, Tramshed and Opera Tavern restaurant, London

Such is the nature of my job, now that I am client side working in marketing, I now get taken out all the time. Of course, I’m not complaining. Not at all.

Christmas is a time most are stuffed with food without even trying. Here are some of the fantastic places my lovely suppliers took me too with gratuitous pics to match.

Restaurant Review | Real Dim Sum | Crispy Duck Restaurant | Leicester Square, London W1

I made a pledge a few months ago that I was going to one day try authentic dim sum. I’m very aware that the “business dinner” style packages I’ve been served at Ping Pong restaurants couldn’t be further away from the real thing despite the extortionate prices they charge you for the experience.

Only one problem: Dim sum tends to only be served until mid afternoon (that fact alone shows how much of a farce Ping Pong and others alike are) and I work full time… At the weekends the last thing I want to do is travel into Central London if I can help it.

I finally got the opportunity last month when I took a half day from work and decided to treat myself to dim sum in China Town, Leicester Square, London.

Recipe | Chinese Food in Minutes | Sweet Chilli Chicken recipe | Ching wasn’t lying!

Yesterday I watched 5 episodes of “Chinese Food in Minutes”. I became mesmerised with Ching-He Huang and her ability to cook delicious looking food in such a short space of time. I often forget how quickly Chinese food can be prepared.

I had decided. I was going to attempt her  Sweet Chilli Chicken. It would be the first time I deep fry in my wok. I was scared. Her recipe gave a good tip of testing the heat of the oil by dropping a cube of bread and seeing if it browned in 15 mins. Test complete. I cooked.